The SMH reports that "[m]any had assumed the ABC would land the show because of its link to the long-running Doctor Who franchise . . . Ten will launch Torchwood later this year. It remains unclear how Ten and the ABC will handle crossover storylines between the two shows."

The Age (March 8 2007) has also reported on the "keenly awaited" Torchwood being purchased by Channel Ten.

2/27/2007 05:02:00 pm -
Reported by
DWNP Archive

The David Tennant/Sarah Parish drama Recovery attracted five million viewers, losing out to ITV1's detective series Lewis, which drew 7.3 million.

Recovery, which aired on BBC1 on Sunday night, had a 20 per cent audience share. It scored an Appreciation Index figure of 86 and was the most enjoyed programme on Sunday night.

Over on Channel 4, Bridget Jones's Diary was watched by three million people, while Five netted more than one million for the film Point Break and 2.3m for the second instalment of The Conspiracy Files, focusing on the death of government scientist Dr David Kelly.

2/27/2007 05:01:00 pm -
Reported by
Kenny Davidson

February 27, 2007 • Posted By Kenny Davidson

According to Dreamwatch SciFi, the BBC have confirmed that season three of Doctor Who will commence on 31st March.

In addition, we can reveal that the series had originally been planned to launch on 24th March, indeed this is stated in the new issue of Doctor Who Magazine, but the schedule was changed earlier this week when it was decided that BBC One would be screening England's European Championship match against Israel on that Saturday.

2/27/2007 05:01:00 pm -
Reported by
Kenny Davidson

Issue 380 of Doctor Who Magazine is due out on 1st March; the following is a preview including the cover. Click on the thumbnail for a larger version.(Thanks to Tom Spilsbury/DWM)

Countdown to the launch of Series Three with the new issue of Doctor Who Magazine!

This issue, producers Julie Gardner and Phil Collinson are given a grilling - not by DWM, but by their own colleagues! Find out whether Michael Sheen is going to be the Eleventh Doctor, why Julie Gardner's windows have been nailed shut, and what the bathrooms are like in the TARDIS. Meanwhile David Tennant asks Phil and Julie... "Are the Zarbi coming back?"

"Phil, you'd better take that one!" laughs Julie."Well, we have agonised, actually, whether or not to bring back the Zarbi," Phil replies."Which ones were the Zarbi?" asks Julie."The Zarbi were in a story [The Web Planet] in like 1965 or something," Phil explains. "They were great big giant ants, which were actually ballet dancers in black tights, with a fibreglass ant on top of them. They would look rather marvellous in colour, it's true to say, but I can exclusively reveal that we are not going to be bringing back the Zarbi, I'm sorry David. He's lobbied hard for them, but we just think they're going to be too frightening for young children."Perhaps they could feature in Torchwood?"Yes, I'll take them!" pipes up Julie. "Phil, hand me your Zarbi!"

Also this issue, there's a full preview of Episode 1, Smith and Jones, with brand new photographs and information on the Doctor's first meeting with medical student Martha Jones. Meanwhile, their alter egos David Tennant and Freema Agyeman record vocals for the new Doctor Who cartoon, and have a go at drawing themselves exclusively for DWM. The Infinite Quest is given a full preview, with design drawings and exclusive backstage photos and interviews.

Plus: Doctor Who's longest-serving crewmember, director Graeme Harper, tells DWM about bringing back the Cybermen, working with six different Doctors, and what's in store for his two latest episodes, 42 andUtopia; former series script editor Terrance Dicks chats about his new novel Made of Steel and gives his views on the return of Doctor Who; writer Stephen Greenhorn gives a few hints about his new episode The Lazarus Experiment; and the Black Guardian and Turlough answer questions in the Matrix Data Bank.

Meanwhile the end of the world approaches, as the Doctor and the Brigadier try to stop the invasion of Upper Wardleswick in the devastating final part of the new comic strip, The Warkeeper's Crown. Who will survive the final battle?

On top of all this, there's a FREE Doctor Who CD from Big Finish Productions, all the latest reviews in Off the Shelf, a Space Cake in Production Notes, and more exclusive news in Gallifrey Guardian - including three new episode titles, and one very important piece of information which was all true and correct when we went to press, but is, um, not actually true and correct anymore. And it's printed on four different pages. See if you can spot it...

2/27/2007 05:00:00 pm -
Reported by
Chuck Foster

For the classic series: 16th April will be the delayed classic series story Survival; 28th May will see the release of Tom Baker's premiere, Robot; and 25th June will be the Colin Baker story Timelash.

For the new series, 2nd April will see the release of last year's Christmas Special, The Runaway Bride - in a change to last year's release form, the DVD will just consist of the special (ie. without Smith and Jones). The first 3rd season release is to be expected in June.

With the exception of Survival, extras for the forthcoming releases are yet to be revealed, though Tom Baker mentioned in the recent New Beginnings boxed set that he had recorded a commentary for Robot.

2/27/2007 05:00:00 pm -
Reported by
Shaun Lyon

February 27, 2007 • Posted By Shaun Lyon

The latest issue of Doctor Who Magazine announces three new Series Three titles. Confirming earlier speculation, the first installment of Paul Cornell's two-part story is entitled Human Nature and is based upon the earlier novel published by Virgin. Steven Moffat's episode is entitled Blink, while part one of Russell T Davies' two-part season ender is entitledThe Sound of Drums

2/27/2007 04:59:00 pm -
Reported by
Shaun Lyon

February 27, 2007 • Posted By Shaun Lyon

Outpost Gallifrey has received the cover illustration for the forthcoming UK DVD release of The Runaway Bride, the no-extras DVD release featuring this past December's Doctor Who special. Also included on the disc is the special installment of Doctor Who Confidential, "Music and Monsters," which was not previously announced. Click on the thumbnail for a larger version of the cover.

2/26/2007 05:05:00 pm -
Reported by
DWNP Archive

Digital Spy reports that Billie Piper made her West End debut in Treats on Saturday after a 24-hour delay caused by an illness.

It says her agent told the Sunday Express: "Billie felt pretty unwell yesterday and was taken to hospital as a precautionary measure. She was not kept in and was quickly out of bed and up and around."

Responding to speculation that Piper was pregnant, she added: "I am not prepared to discuss any other rumours about her health as she is now purely concentrating on her role in the show."

The Sunday Mirror said Piper - pictured above with Treats co-stars Kris Marshall and Laurence Fox, who is also her boyfriend - was rushed to hospital on Friday night after she collapsed in agony.

Digital Spy said the first show was due to take place on Friday but had been called off amid speculation that Piper was ill or stressed out. However, according to postings on the Outpost Gallifrey Forum, the show went ahead with an understudy taking her place.

Treats, which had been in previews, is on at the Garrick Theatre until May 26.

Outpost Gallifrey reported on Friday that Piper's official debut had been delayed, although conflicting dates were circulating.

2/26/2007 05:04:00 pm -
Reported by
Jarrod Cooper

February 26, 2007 • Posted By Jarrod Cooper

The cover and information for the third Torchwood DVD has now been released. Due to be released in the UK on March 26, this volume will include the final four episodes from the first season. Deleted scenes, Episode Guides, a Video Diary, and featurette will also be included.(Thanks to 2Entertain)

2/26/2007 05:03:00 pm -
Reported by
Shaun Lyon

February 26, 2007 • Posted By Shaun Lyon

2Entertain have released the cover illustration for the forthcoming UK DVD release of Survival starring Sylvester McCoy and Sophie Aldred. The DVD release will be out later in the year. Click on the thumbnail for a larger version.(Thanks to 2Entertain)

2/25/2007 05:06:00 pm -
Reported by
DWNP Archive

February 25, 2007 • Posted By Stephen Blake

Ever since it was announced that Doctor Who was returning to our television screens, Britain's LGBT publications (along with most others, it seems) have taken the show to their hearts, regularly reporting on the show (and its spinoffs).

In particular, Millivres Prowler - who publish Gay Times (recently restyled as GT), Diva, axm, the free Pink Papernewspaper and the online magazine Puffta - have devoted many column inches to Who. Here's a flavour.

In recent weeks, two Doctor Who-related articles appeared in the Pink Paper, with Darren Scott Gleeson interviewing Who stars Elisabeth Sladen (about her return to Doctor Who and The Sarah Jane Adventures) and John Barrowman.

Forget the girl, it's the woman I want

Gleeson says of Sladen, "Forget Billie Piper, the best Doctor Who companion was Sarah Jane Smith.

"Following her heart-breaking return to the programme [in 2006], her own series looks set to be the latest in a long line of hits for Russell T Davies."

A self-professed Doctor Who fan, Gleeson admits that it was "intrepid reporter Sarah Jane that first got me interested in journalism".

In the article, Sladen says it's incredible what Doctor Who has done, and she recounts the time a Who fan who's gay thanked her: "He said he had a very difficult childhood and would switch on Doctor Who on a Saturday and identify with it because it was about a loner and he felt very alone. He said it was just that half-hour when he actually believed everything would be all right."

Roberts' Code

There was also a short accompanying article, "Who's that boy?", about Gareth Roberts, which mentioned his Doctor Who novels, audios, Tardisodes, interactive episode (Attack of the Graske) and his Series 3 story The Shakespeare Code. Roberts said, "It's going to be pretty fab, they've done things which I can't quite believe. This is the kind of television I've always wanted to do. I'm very happy with The Sarah Jane Adventures too [...] I love working with BBC Wales, I'm not going anywhere until they kick me out."

He nose, you know

In the second interview, Barrowman talked to Gleeson about Live and Kicking, Doctor Who, Torchwood, and being the recipient of the "Entertainer of the Year" award at the first Annual Stonewall Awards.

"I'm really pleased about the award because that's being recognised by - if we have to put ourselves into categories - my community. It's a community I'm very proud of. I'm very proud to be gay and I don't see it as a detriment at all, as some people look at it.

Unfortunately, due to work commitments, Barrowman was unable to collect the award in person and so Sir Ian McKellan did so on his behalf. "I look up to Ian. Follow in his footsteps," Barrowman said of his friend.

During the interview, Barrowman talks about his civil partnership to long-time partner Scott Gill, his thoughts on religion, his Doctor Who mobile ring tone - "I'm really proud of that, dude [...] that's bought me a couple of homes" - and his six-inch Captain Jack action figure: "I turned down three or four different prototypes as the chin and nose [and] cheekbones weren't right, I was particular about it."

He also talks about how great it is being part of the whole Doctor Who/Torchwood family: "I love every second of it [but] I don't Google myself and dissuade my family from doing it because you read a lot of things that aren't true." Of the Dr Who Weakest Link Christmas Special, he says Anne Robinson (Bad Wolf) confided that they were the best celebrity group the Weakest Link had ever had!

Finally, of Series 3 of Doctor Who, he teases, "You're going to love it!"

The Captain Dances

The Pink Paper interview (mentioned above) was conducted in Stirling, Scotland, during Barrowman's official opening of his cousin Mark Barrowman's new business, MB Disco Supplies. Barrowman (Mark) said that although the shop started trading in July 2006, this was a private ceremony as "a thank you to our suppliers, key business partners and family members. We then opened the doors to the public and John mingled with his fans, signing photographs and his CDs."

The Pink Paper also published the winners of its annual Pink Paper Readers' Awards. "Best TV Show" went to Doctor Who. Davies accepted the award, saying, rather cheekily, "Thanks very much. I've always said the gay audience is cleverer, more imaginative and frankly more good-looking than anyone else, and now you've gone and proved it!" The Catherine Tate Show came second in the same category.

Who's Got Attitude?

Barrowman and Mark Gatiss both appeared in December's Attitude magazine.

Barrowman was asked "Any Queries?" by readers. He answered a diverse set of questions, including homophobia in Hollywood, his time on Live and Kicking, civil partnerships, watching Doctor Who as a child and not winning Dancing On Ice.

Gatiss was interviewed to coincide with the publication of his second Lucifer Box novel The Devil in Amber. As well as his books, he talked about playing Johnny Craddock in Fear of Fanny and Ratty in The Wind in the Willows, and briefly mentioned how thrilled he is to be in Series 3 of Doctor Who: "Another dream come true. I can't say much but it's a brilliant part and I can't wait to work with my old friend David Tennant."

Asked what it's like being involved with the show, Gatiss replied, "It's been a total joy. Really, it's been unbelievable. Doctor Who is the number one show and I don't think any of us believed that we'd ever see that again. Kids are obsessed with Daleks, they have wall-charts and stuff. It's like 1973 all over again! Russell T Davies presides over it all with his incredible enthusiasm and tirelessness. It's like a big family really. It's like UNIT. I'm Jo Grant!"

The Church and the Crown

The current issue of the Pink Paper reports on Barrowman's desire to have children, and his response to the recent row in the UK between the church and Parliament over the rights of gay people to adopt: "If people think of a family unit as being something from the past, then I'm happy to get the Doctor to take them back to the Dark Ages in the Tardis [sic]. We don't need them in our future."

Earlier, in Gay Times (December 2006), Terry Sanderson in his "Mediawatch" column, commented, happily, that the Daily Mirror reported Barrowman and Gill's desire to become parents "without a whisper of censure or judgementalism" on the tabloid's part.

Age of Enlightenment

Elsewhere in the current issue of the Pink Paper covers the story of Sylvester McCoy joining McKellan in the Royal Shakespeare Company's new production of King Lear, and the news that Lynda Baron (Enlightenment) will be hosting a 10-year birthday celebration of Amnesty International's LGBT UK Network on 27 February, which is also supported by Simon Callow (The Unquiet Dead).

Glad to be Kay

Also reported in the Pink, Peter Kay (Love and Monsters) is to play Roger de Bris, "the theatrical gay icon and world's worst director", in a new production, at the Palace Theatre in Manchester, of Mel Brooks's classic musical comedy The Producers.

"I've always been a huge fan of The Producers, ever since I first saw the film on telly when I was 11," Kay said. "[This] is definitely, for me, a real dream come true. I can't wait."

The story was previously reported in the Bolton News.

Naked Lunch

Gay Times and Attitude both recommended the 2007 Philip Olivier calendar from Slow Dazzle. No mention of Doctor Who - Olivier plays Seventh Doctor companion Hex in the Big Finish audios - but the piece briefly talks about his role as a gay schoolteacher in Hollyoaks: In the City.

At Home with the Barrowman's

The same issue of Gay Times has a three-page article about how Barrowman and his agent, Gavin Barker, met. Barker recounts that Barrowman's casting as Captain Jack in Doctor Who "was the quickest offer in the history of BBC Drama".

New Girl

Meanwhile, the restyled GT tests new Doctor Who companion Freema Agyeman on her Who knowledge in a light-hearted piece, "Doctor, Doctor". Asked what's the best thing about being the Doctor's companion, Agyeman replies, "[...] all the adventures you go on. You don't know from one minute to the next where you're going to be, who you're going to be encountering. It's a real roller-coaster ride. And for me personally this part has no stereotypical limitations as a black female, which I may have encountered in the past."

Huge Who

The new issue of Out Northwest (March 2007, available from 28 February), the free magazine published by the Lesbian and Gay Foundation, reports on Series 3 of Doctor Who and the "Huge Who exhibition" at the Museum of Science and Industry. The cover shows a full-page publicity shot of the Tenth Doctor and Martha Jones inside the TARDIS and proclaims: "The Doctor Lands in Manchester".

Billie and the Boys

Puffta.co.uk's online magazine details Billie Piper in their "Icon One Series": "Billie Piper. Only 23 years old but she's just published her autobiography, ditched the Doctor but we'd rather she release another album!" The article presents a potted biog of Piper, including quotes from the actor and RTD.

Charlie not Charley

In its online archive, ScotsGay magazine has an article on all things Doctor Who, including an interview with, as the piece puts it, "the openly gay Glaswegian comedian" Charlie Ross, a favourite on the UK Doctor Who convention circuit, who also appears as Lest in Big Finish's Eighth Doctor/Charley/C'rizz audio drama Memory Lane. "It's a dark, comic piece with a twist [...] a traditional Dr Who story of the best kind," Ross says.

The article states: "Charlie has been a fan his whole life. He grew up watching Tom Baker and Peter Davison - 'Who I've been lucky enough to meet' [and who, together with a couple of classic Daleks, he appeared with on the front cover of the print magazine] - and often includes Dr Who material in his stand-up act."

Away from matters pink, the current issue of Hotline magazine (January-March 2007) from Virgin Trains has a two-page interview with Simon Pegg (The Long Game). He talks about Shaun of the Dead, appearing opposite Tom Cruise inMission: Impossible III, his new film Hot Fuzz and his part as the Editor in Doctor Who: "It was amazing, the very idea of being part of Doctor Who was great."

He also recounts how, at the age of eight, he met Tom Baker: "I have a book somewhere [...] autographed by Tom Baker. It says: 'To Simon, 8, from Tom Baker, 888.' [...] he signed it for me and offered me a jelly baby. If someone had come to me then, some sort of emissary from the future, and said that years later I would be in Doctor Who, it would have fried my mind."

2/25/2007 05:05:00 pm -
Reported by
Jarrod Cooper

February 25, 2007 • Posted By Jarrod Cooper

The covers for the March releases of the new 10th Doctor and Martha novels are now available.

Also announced are the new titles and authors for the next 3 books, which are slated for a September release. They are:Sick Building by Paul MagrsForever Autumn by Mark MorrisWetworld by Mark Michalowski

June sees the release of Calling the Shots: Directing the new series of Doctor Who by Graeme Harper

July has a new series of Decide Your Destiny novels from Penguin Character books. They are:The Corinthian Project by Davey MooreThe Time Crocodile by Colin BrakeFrozen Earth by Kay WoodwardArena by Richard Dungworth

Later in the year will see Penguin releasing an activity collection, family planner and desk calendar.

2/24/2007 05:07:00 pm -
Reported by
DWNP Archive

February 24, 2007 • Posted By John Bowman

Budding stars are being warned to avoid agencies that say they can secure them parts on programmes such as Doctor Who.

The UK's Department of Trade and Industry has published advice to help would-be entertainers and models avoid unscrupulous outfits, and names Doctor Who as a prime example of the type of show that rogue casting agencies make false promises about.

The information campaign follows cases where agencies have advertised casting sessions in local newspapers then used hard-sell tactics to take payments on false promises about success and stardom.

Employment minister Jim Fitzpatrick, pictured, said: "Most agencies are reputable and will tell you that the entertainment industry is tough to break into.

"Beware of anyone who promises to make you a star overnight. If it looks too good to be true, then it probably is. Our advice is designed to help stop rogues turning people's dreams into nightmares."

Listed among the DTI's top tips for aspiring models and entertainers is the following:

"Beware of adverts claiming to provide artists for popular TV programmes like EastEnders or Doctor Who. Directors for these shows usually use agencies and individuals they have used before."

Earlier this week, Piper - who is appearing in Treats with boyfriend Laurence Fox - was pictured breaking down in tears and being consoled by ex-husband Chris Evans.

According to producers, however, the play has been delayed to avoid a clash with the RSC production of The Tempest, which stars Patrick Stewart and is also set to open - at the Novello Theatre - on Wednesday.

In an earlier interview, Piper was quoted as saying she was "stressed out" by the impending debut.

"It's really hard in the theatre and the level of concentration is terrible. I am still working it out and trying to find my feet . . . I am quite stressed and am having a tough time," she said.

2/22/2007 05:09:00 pm -
Reported by
R Alan Siler

February 22, 2007 • Posted By R. Alan Siler

Peter Davison is the focus of a short but career-spanning article in today's edition of The Mirror. The article, entitled "All Roles Great and Small," covers (not in any depth) Davison's early days as an actor, some of his most prominent roles (The Tomorrow People, All Creatures Great and Small, Doctor Who) and his current comedy series Fear, Stress and Anger.

2/22/2007 05:08:00 pm -
Reported by
Mike Doran

February 22, 2007 • Posted By Mike Doran

TV Shows on DVD is reporting that the New Beginnings DVD box set will be released in North America (Region 1) on June 5th, 2007. The set, which was released in the UK in January, contains the stories The Keeper of Traken, Logopolis and Castrovalva. These stories cover the final two adventures with Tom Baker as well as the first with Peter Davison.

In addition to the featured episodes, the three-disc set contains commentaries, interviews, specially produced featurettes, photo galleries, production notes, trailers and isolated music tracks.

2/21/2007 05:11:00 pm -
Reported by
Chuck Foster

February 21, 2007 • Posted By Chuck Foster

Runaway Bride co-stars David Tennant and Sarah Parish were interviewed in a filmed insert shown on BBC1'sBreakfast throughout this morning's edition about their new drama Recovery, which will be broadcast on BBC1 this coming Sunday at 9:00pm.

Blue Peter ran an item on how to make a TARDIS bird feeder on the 14th February edition of the programme; full details on how to make it are available on the CBBC website.

12th February saw actress Angela Griffin (Waterloo Road) "beg" to be in Doctor Who on the Richard and Judyshow, after presenter Richard Madeley thought she'd be great in the show!

Billie Piper can currently be seen as a schoolgirl in the Walkers walkears.com advert for this year's Comic Relief.

Meanwhile, next week, Penelope Wilton, Sophie Okonedo (Scream of the Shalka) and James Fox (BBCi/Big Finish's version of Shada) are some of the stars in Harold Pinter's Celebration, which can be seen on More4 on 26 February.

2/21/2007 05:11:00 pm -
Reported by
Anthony Weight

February 21, 2007 • Posted By Paul Hayes

Various online sources are reporting that actor Hugh Grant has expressed his regret at not taking on the role of the Doctor when the BBC Wales production team offered it to him on the off-chance back in 2004, as detailed in Russell T Davies's Doctor Who Magazine "Production Notes" column at the time.

"I was offered the role of The Doctor a few years back and was highly flattered," Grant is quoted as saying onSyFyPortal, amongst many other websites. "The danger with those things is that it's only when you see it on the screen that you think, 'Damn, that was good, why did I say no?'"

However, Grant added that he may yet appear in the series, and is apparently in discussions to guest star in an episode. "I'm in talks about a one-off role. I'd prefer to be a baddie. They're always much more fun to play."

It would not be the first link with the show for Grant - in 1999 he was one of the star names to play the Doctor in the Comic Relief TV spoof The Curse of Fatal Death, which was written by Steven Moffat.

2/21/2007 05:10:00 pm -
Reported by
R Alan Siler

February 21, 2007 • Posted By R. Alan Siler

The Academy of Science Fiction, Fantasy and Horror Films has announced the nominations for the 33rd Annual Saturn Awards, and Doctor Who has received two nominations: BEST SYNDICATED/CABLE TELEVISION SERIES and BEST TELEVISION SERIES RELEASE ON DVD.

Leading the nominations was Bryan Singer's Superman Returns with ten. Other notables were X-Men: The Final Stand (6), Guillermo del Toro’s Pan’s Labyrinth (6), Lost (6), Heroes (5), and Battlestar Galactica (4).

This year marks the Academy's 35th Anniversary. The non-profit organization was founded in 1972 by film historian Dr. Donald A. Reed. The Academy is currently headed by Robert Holguin, who serves as President of the Academy.

The winners will be announced at this year’s 33rd Annual Saturn Awards, which takes place on Thursday, May 10, 2007 in Universal City. Hosting the event will be actor Greg Grunberg (Heroes) and comedian Jeffrey Ross.

To learn more about the Saturns, visit the Academy of Science Fiction, Fantasy and Horror Films' website.

2/21/2007 05:10:00 pm -
Reported by
DWNP Archive

February 21, 2007 • Posted By John Bowman

Actor Derek Waring who played Shardovan in Castrovalva died of cancer yesterday at 79.

He was also well-known for his roles in Z Cars and Moody and Pegg.

Other TV shows Waring appeared in were The Professionals, Dixon of Dock Green and The Adventures of Sir Lancelot, which starred William Russell - later to become Doctor Whocompanion Ian Chesterton - in the title role.

2/20/2007 05:12:00 pm -
Reported by
Benjamin Elliott

February 20, 2007 • Posted By Benjamin F Elliott

If you get one or more of the following public TV stations, they have bought into the Christopher EcclestonDoctor Who package, available to stations as early as March 1. Additional stations may have bought into the package, but they have not made themselves known yet.

2/20/2007 05:12:00 pm -
Reported by
Josiah Rowe

February 20, 2007 • Posted By Josiah Rowe

Big Finish Productions has updated their website, with information on new and upcoming releases. The Seventh Doctor story Nocturne and the CD of the BBC7 Eighth Doctor story Blood of the Daleks - Part 2 have both been released to subscribers, as have the first four releases of The Companion Chronicles. Actress Sara Griffiths, who played Ray in the 1987 story "Delta and the Bannermen", returns to Doctor Who in the April release, I. D. by Eddie Robson. The cover and synopsis for the latest Bernice Summerfield adventure, The Tub Full of Cats, are available on the website, as is information about new and upcoming releases in the Sapphire and Steel, which has now been confirmed for a third season, and Tomorrow People lines. And the cover and blurb are now available for next month's main Doctor Who release, Renaissance of the Daleks, which is also the first story on the main range to feature the new cover design. This release is based on a story by former Doctor Who script editor and writer Christopher H. Bidmead:

A random landing in London and a trip to the Savoy Hotel yield unexpected results for the Doctor. Tea, scones, an American general who knows far too much, and the threat of a Dalek invasion of Earth.

Meanwhile, the Doctor's companion Nyssa is in Rhodes during the time of the Crusades, where her position proves to be distinctly precarious.

It seems the Doctor's deadliest foes have woven a tangled web indeed. And in order to defeat them, he must cross the forbidden barriers of time and walk into the very centre of their latest, most outlandish scheme of conquest.

2/19/2007 05:13:00 pm -
Reported by
DWNP Archive

February 19, 2007 • Posted By Stephen Blake

Though a few weeks away from Series 3 of Doctor Who (and any possible Who-related listings-magazines covers), both this week's and next week's issues of the Radio Times sport front-page covers and corresponding articles of two of the show's stars, albeit for different roles.

The current issue of the listings-magazine (17 to 23 February) has a Catherine Tate cover - "Bovvered?" - and features a three-page interview with the former Doctor Who companion by Alexei Sayle (the DJ in Revelation of the Daleks). This is to coincide with tonight's premiere of the ITV1 drama The Bad Mother's Handbook, which stars Tate. There's nothing about Doctor Who in the article itself but the magazine's editor Gill Hudson makes a brief mention in her "Editor's letter".

Meanwhile, next week's Radio Times (24 February to 2 March, on sale now) features a (bearded) David Tennant cover - "TV's Most Wanted" - and article to coincide with his BBC1 drama Recovery, which co-stars the Empress of the Racnoss herself, Sarah Parish. This issue also has a short interview with Penelope Wilton and a "One Final Question" interview with Life on Mars star John Simm.

Previously, to coincide with Matthew Graham's second series of Life on Mars, the 10 to 16 February issue of the Radio Times had a double cover - "Life on Mars!" - featuring Simm and Philip Glenister. The top cover - in the current Radio Times style, showing the pair in character and including a sub-heading "Primeval: Is this ITV1’s answer to Doctor Who?" - opened up to a second cover with the same picture but styled as the Radio Times was in 1973!

2/17/2007 05:15:00 pm -
Reported by
Jarrod Cooper

February 17, 2007 • Posted By Jarrod Cooper

Jason Haigh-Ellery of Big Finish Productions announced today that there will be a second series of the newCompanion Chronicles series. No information about casting or characters have been announced at this time.

2/17/2007 05:14:00 pm -
Reported by
DWNP Archive

Fifth Doctor Peter Davison reckons Fidel Castro probably isn't half as bad as he's made out to be, and that Tony Blair should either be sent to the Tower of London or put in the stocks.

In an interview for the Press Association, headlined If I Ruled The World, syndicated to publicise his new series Fear, Stress and Anger, which begins on BBC Two on Thursday, he also praisesStephen Fry, who dropped out of writing for Doctor Who.

The full text is given below.

Peter Moffatt [sic], 55, was born in London. He changed his surname to Davison when he embarked on an acting career.

His big break came in the series All Creatures Great and Small in 1978, but arguably his most famous role was as the fifth Doctor in sci-fi series Doctor Who in 1981.

After he left in 1984, Davison starred in A Very Peculiar Practice, and subsequent credits include Campion, Hope and Glory, At Home with the Braithwaites, The Last Detective and The Complete Guide to Parenting.

His new series, Fear, Stress and Anger, airs on BBC Two on Thursday, February 22 at 9pm.

Davison lives in Twickenham and has an actress daughter, Georgia, from his previous marriage to Sandra Dickinson, and two sons, Louis and Joel, with his present wife Elizabeth.

WHAT WOULD BE YOUR FIRST ACT AS RULER?

"To decree that anyone who started a war had to be strapped to the front of the tank when it went into battle. We'd go back to the old days when the ruler would lead from the front."

WHO WOULD BE YOUR MOST TRUSTED ADVISER?

"Stephen Fry. I've never heard him say anything I didn't agree with and think he's extraordinarily wise. He'd be a good person to have around."

WHO WOULD YOU BANISH?

"Anyone who complains about the number of immigrants in this country. I've liked nearly every person who has come into this country from abroad I've ever met. I'm sure there are bad ones, but the overwhelming majority come here, work hard and love this country, bizarrely."

WOULD YOU BE A DICTATOR OR A BENEVOLENT LEADER?

"I think you have to be both. You can't be a benevolent leader because everyone would just walk all over you, and a dictator implies brutality, but the ideal has always been a blend. That's the theory, and I know it always goes wrong, but I'd be the first to get it right."

WHO WOULD YOU SINGLE OUT FOR A KNIGHTHOOD AND WHY?

"Jeremy Paxman for all his industry in needling the politicians over the years. I'll always be very happy to watch an interview with a politician when he's doing it."

WHO WOULD YOU SEND TO THE TOWER/PUT IN THE STOCKS?

"That would have to be our present Prime Minister. I think in order to prevent disaster ever happening again you have to pursue relentlessly the people who are responsible for it. You cannot start from the position that we too often say 'well, this is where we are now, we have to sort it out.'"

WHICH LAW WOULD YOU ABOLISH?

"In Twickenham, where I live, they've just come out with this insane law which means they'll double or triple the residents' permit if you have a large car. That would be fine if it was an across-the-board tax, but everyone who has a house big enough to have a driveway or a garage doesn't have to pay it, so they're taxing everyone whose cars are at the side of the road. It's really annoyed me."

WHICH LAW WOULD YOU INTRODUCE?

"All women must have their purses out ready to pay at supermarket checkouts - but I'd also ban men from being on the tills. They're absolutely hopeless. If you ever get stuck with a bloke at the till, it's a disaster. They go about two miles an hour and none of them ever seem to know what they're doing. But why is it that ladies wait until everything is checked through before they start to look for their purse? There's also the expression 'at the end of the day'. I hate it, so I'd ban people from saying it."

WHICH BUILDING WOULD YOU DEMOLISH AND WHY?

"I'm tempted to say the MI5 building, but rather than pull it down I'd rather turn it into something nice."

WHICH RULER/MONARCH DO YOU MOST ADMIRE OR HAVE MOST IN COMMON WITH?

"I have a sneaking suspicion that in 50 years time we'll discover that Castro isn't half as bad as we think he is. He outlived his enemies, he's managed to take Cuba back from America's playground, and hold them off for all those years. We hear lots of terrible stories about him, but most end up being nonsense. I have also come to admire President Clinton. He was a pretty bright man."

IF YOU COULD CHANGE THE NATIONAL ANTHEM FOR ANOTHER PIECE OF MUSIC, WHAT WOULD IT BE AND WHY?

"I don't think I'd want to change it. If I was in charge, presumably they would be singing about me."

2/16/2007 05:16:00 pm -
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DWNP Archive

February 16, 2007 • Posted By Brigadier Bill

Sci-Fi Wire reports that Ninth Doctor Christopher Eccleston has joined the cast of The Dark Is Rising. The 20th Century Fox and Walden Media film is an adaptation of the books of the same name by Susan Cooper. Eccleston will play the villain, the Rider, and will join the cast of Gregory Smith, Amelia Warner (Aeon Flux), Emma Lockhart (Batman Begins), Gary Entin, Edmund Entin, Jonathan Jackson and John Benjamin Hickey. Ian McShane and Frances Conroy have also been cast. The movie is slated to begin filming on 26 February in Romania.

2/16/2007 05:15:00 pm -
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DWNP Archive

Saturday's edition of The Sun reports that former Hollyoaks actress Elize Du Toit has been cast in Series Three.

It says the 25-year-old is to play the character Miss Dexter but does not reveal which story she will be in.

The article features spoiler information about Dexter as well as another character in the forthcoming series (although they are not necessarily in the same story). Click on the tag below to read more and for the link to the Sun story.

The Sun says: "The 25-year-old - who was sex bomb Izzy in the Channel 4 soap - will play baddie Miss Dexter.

"An insider said: 'She is an extremely sinister character who clashes with the Doctor after setting a trap for him.'

"Meanwhile actor Michael Sheen, who played Tony Blair in Oscar-nominated movie The Queen, is battling with Life On Mars star John Simm to play The Master."

2/15/2007 05:17:00 pm -
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February 15, 2007 • Posted By Brigadier Bill

While the Doctor officially made an appearance in BeanoMAX comic in the UK, there was an odd appearance just last month in the long-running comic strip Annie. Best known as Little Orphan Annie, the updated version had the young adventurer enter a time machine that was larger on the inside than the out and featured a strangely familiar looking console. After almost interrupting the assassination of Abe Lincoln, little Annie went on a visit to Atlantis.

Visit Annie to take a look at the exciting adventure complete with daily cliffhangers. Love the console.

2/14/2007 05:18:00 pm -
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February 14, 2007 • Posted By Anna Roberts

The Sun is claiming that Tom Ellis has been cast in the new series of Doctor Who as the character Tom Milligan. (Warning - the link contains spoilers.) He appeared in EastEnders as Dr Oliver Cousins, and has also appeared inWaking The Dead, Holby City and Love Soup, among many other programmes.

A BBC source has told the Sun that "Tom plays a crucial role in the season finale of Doctor Who." He is apparently due to begin filming next week.